Guns.com: Virginia Senate Sinks New Governor’s Gun Control Agenda Early

Just after Gov. Ralph Northam was inaugurated, a Virginia Senate committee rejected a number of gun control bills backed by the Democrat.

The Republican-controlled Senate Courts of Justice Committee met for overthree hoursin their first workday of the session Monday and quickly disposed of several measures in party-line votes including one onuniversal background checksand another toseize gunsfrom those deemed at risk. Northam, who had the strong backing of gun control advocates on the campaign trail, quickly addressed the topic with lawmakers in his first speech to the General Assembly.

“Gunshots kill more people in Virginia every year than car accidents, but if you walk into the right gun show, it’s easier to get a firearm than it is to rent a car,” Northamsaid. “There are many actions we should take over our time together to save lives by reducing gun violence. Let’s start by keeping guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them by passing universal background checks.”

Other gun control bills sent packing wereSB2, which would expand regulations against those with guns who were using drugs or alcohol;SB 794, which would ban the sale of magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition; and twomeasuresallowingthe County of Albemarle and the City of Charlottesville greater ability to ban the carry of firearms locally.